President Donald Trump has defended a lethal U.S. military strike on a Venezuelan gang’s drug boat, calling it a bold warning to Latin American cartels. The attack, which took place Tuesday in international waters, killed 11 alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a group the U.S. labels a terrorist organization. Trump, speaking alongside Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the White House, said the strike would deter drug smugglers. “Massive amounts of drugs were coming to kill our people. When they see that tape, they’ll think twice,” he declared.

The operation marks a dramatic shift from traditional U.S. drug interdiction tactics, which typically involve seizing vessels and arresting suspects. Instead, the U.S. military, backed by a recent naval buildup near Venezuela, opted for lethal force. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, appearing on Fox & Friends, claimed officials knew exactly who was on the boat and what they were doing, though no evidence has been released to confirm the vessel’s link to Tren de Aragua or drug smuggling. “President Trump is going on offense like never before,” Hegseth said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking from Mexico, warned that such strikes would continue. “Past interdictions didn’t work. Blowing them up will,” Rubio stated, signaling a new aggressive stance. The U.S. has recently designated Tren de Aragua and Mexican cartels as terrorist groups, justifying military action. However, Venezuela’s government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, dismissed the strike’s legitimacy, with Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez claiming a video of the attack shared by Trump was AI-generated. Hegseth refuted this, insisting he watched live footage of the strike.

Also Read: Putin Invites Zelensky to Moscow as Trump Seeks Ukraine Peace Talks

The operation has sparked controversy. Experts like Mary Ellen O’Connell from Notre Dame Law School question its legality, arguing that lethal force outside armed conflict is unlawful unless lives are immediately at stake. “No hostilities were occurring in the Caribbean,” O’Connell noted. Critics also point out that Tren de Aragua, while involved in crimes like murder and sex trafficking, has no proven large-scale role in transnational drug smuggling, according to a recent InSight Crime report. Jeremy McDermott, co-founder of InSight Crime, said, “TdA is being used as a catch-all for Venezuelan criminals abroad.”

The strike follows Trump’s July directive authorizing military action against cartels and a $50 million bounty on Maduro, whom the U.S. accuses of leading a narco-state. Maduro has responded by deploying troops along Venezuela’s coast and border with Colombia, urging citizens to join civilian militias. He has accused the U.S. of plotting regime change, a charge echoed by allies who warn of escalating tensions.

Ryan Berg, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, called the strike a “paradigm shift” in U.S. security policy. “This shows the U.S. is ready to use deadly force in the Western Hemisphere,” he said, noting warnings to Mexico about similar actions if cooperation falters. The U.S.’s history of interventions in Latin America, including Cold War-era coups, adds weight to concerns about regional stability.

Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente, meeting with Rubio, emphasized respecting sovereignty in joint operations. As the U.S. flexes its military might, the strike has ignited debates over its legal and strategic implications, with fears of further escalation looming large.

Also Read: Trump Hosts Poland’s Nawrocki for Key Ukraine, Defense Talks